Coil stacker head



April 7, 1964 F. EzzELl.

COIL STACKER HEAD 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 14, 1962 Illmlh.

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INVENTOR.

April 7, 1964 1 F. EzzELl.

COIL STACKER HEAD 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 14, 1962 April 7, 1964 F. EzzELL 3,128,118

con. sTAcKER HEAD Filed June 14, 1962 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 gs /fv 6 is is h i: N f i: k w /75 /7/ 25C Lo I/ all!! Ufe/ fzze// INVENTOR.-

Apnl 7, 1964 F. Ezzl-:LL 3,128,118

COIL sTAcKER HEAD Filed June 14, 1962 4 sheets-sheet 4 /5 /7/ iii Luber F. EzZe// INVENTOR @YW VM United States PatentA fice 3,128,118 Patented Apr. 7, 1964 The present invention relates to an apparatus for engaging lifting and moving objects, and more particularly relates to a stacker head for engaging and moving metal coils and the like.

Sheet material one-fourth inch and less in thickness is normally produced at the steel mills in rolls varying in weight from approximately 5,00() to 50,000 pounds or more. The roll of sheet material is thereafter cut to the desired width and then rerolled as it is cut. Heretofore a great deal of difficulty has been experienced in manipulating and in handling the originally rolled Sheet material, as well as that sheet material which has been cut to the desired width. It can be appreciated, because of the nature of the material being handled, and its weight, that substantial expense and manpower is involved in handling, manipulating and moving the material about in the mill, as well as in sorting it into stacks of various widths.

The present invention relates to an apparatus which eliminates the necessity of most manual handling of sheet material in steel mills, and provides a novel arrangement for engaging and moving sheet material from one location to the other with a minimum of effort.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for automatically engaging, lifting and moving sheet material.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for engaging and lifting a sheet material, which apparatus includes a means for releasing the sheet material after it has been moved to a predetcrmined location.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide in an apparatus for engaging and moving a sheet material, a novel arrangement for retaining engagement of the sheet material while it is aligned and stacked onto other sheet material in a manner as desired.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent from a consideration of the following description and drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation of an apparatus showing a form of the present invention mounted thereon;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view on the line 2 2 of FIG. 1, partly in elevation, and illustrates a table upon which coiled sheet material may be received;

FIG. 3 is a vertical sectional view on the line 3 3 of FIG. 1, partly in elevation, and illustrates in greater detail one embodiment of the present invention for engaging sheet material, and shows a form of the present invention engaged with a coil of sheet material on the table of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view on the line 4-4 of FIG. 3 and illustrates further structural details of the form of the invention shown in the drawings;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view on the line 5-5 of FIG. `3 showing in greater detail one arrangement of suitable guide and support means for the depending arms which are adapted to extend through the central aperture or opening of the `coil material for engagement therewith;

FIG. 6 is a View on the line 6-6 of FIG. 3 and illustrates in greater detail an arrangement of some switches which cooperate in the functioning of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a view on the line 7-7 of FIG. 3 and shows an arrangement of a switch means which is employed to actuate a portion of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a View showing the relationship of the mechanism as it begins to release from a coil after alignment thereof with the next coil immediately therebeneath;

FIG. 9` is a view similar to FIG. 8 but showing the mechanism of the present invention withdrawing from the stacked coil after release therefrom;

FIG. 10 is a partial schematic representation of the present invention showing, for purposes of illustration,

an arrangement of switches which may be employed to automatically and sequentially actuate the present invention; and,

FIG. 111 is a schematic diagram of the electrical and hydraulic circuit in one form of the invention.

Attention is iirst directed to FIG. 1 of the drawings wherein the present invention is illustrated generally by the numeral 2d, and is shown as being supported on the support frame referred to generally by letter F, such frame serving to accommodate vertical movement of the invention illustrated at Ztl, as well as rotate the invention 2@ in a horizontal plane so that coils of material engaged thereby can be moved to a predetermined position.

The frame F includes a base B having the vertical support legs 21 at spaced positions as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and Z of the drawings which legs extends upwardly a suitable distance and are in turn connected together at their upper end by the horizontally arranged frame member 22. The base B is formed of material of suitable size to support the weight of the coils which will be deposited thereon. As more clearly shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a plurality of rollers R at one end of the base `13 extend between the laterally spaced and horizontally disposed frame members 22 to provide a table surface for receiving the coil of material represented generally by the numeral 25. The rollers R may be of any suitable construction and are arranged upon axles 26 which extend through the members 22 as represented in FIG. l of the drawings. Several of the rollers -R are shorter than the others and are supported at one end on the frame member 22a adjacent the central portion of the table top formed by the rollers so that sutlicient room is provided for the operating mechanism of the invention 2d to move down and engage the coil of material 25, in a manner as will be described in greater detail hereinafter. Also, suitable space is provided between two of the rollers as shown at 2lb in FIG. 2 to provide room whereby the present invention may engage the coil 25. VAlgsosecured to the base B is the vertical pedestal P 'which extends upwardly at one end of the base as shown in FIG. 1 of the drawings. Supported on the pedestal P and extending above and over the table top formed by the rollers R is the rotatable support designated generally by the numeral 30. The rotatable support includes the downwardly extending member 31 which is` rotatably carried on the pedestal P, to which member 31 is secured a pair of laterally extending arms 32 (only one of which can be seen in the drawings) which arms are connected together at one end by the end plate 33. Extending upwardly and secured on each of the arms 32 is the vertical member 35 and 36 respectively which members are joined at their upper end by the plate 37 as better shown in FIG. 1 and in FIG. 3 of the drawings. Suitable bracing 38 extends from the upper part of the members 35 Yand 36 to the laterally extending arms 32 as shown in FIG. 1 of the drawings. The arms 35 and 36 form a derrick for the invention 20 as will be described in greater detail hereinafter.

In order to rotate the portion 30 of the frame F, any

suitable means may be employed, and one of such means is illustrated in FIG. 2 ofthe drawings and is shown as including a ring gear 41 secured to the member 31, which ring gear is adapted to beengaged by the rack 42, the rack being movable longitudinally by the piston and piston rod in the hydraulic cylinder 43 mounted on the frame B. The hydraulic cylinder 43 is double acting so that the rack 42 may be extended and retracted so that the portion 30 of the frame F may be rotated from its position immediately over the rollers R to a desired predetermined position whereby the coil of material 25 may be lifted olf the rollers R and set down at the predetermined location.

The invention includes a carrier frame designated generally by the numeral Sil and which is adapted to be supported for vertical movement by the members 35 and 36. Supported on the carrier frame 59 is the expanding and collapsing portion 51 which is adapted to expand and engage the coils of material and hold them as they are lifted and moved, and thereafter collapse and release the coils after they have been moved to a predetermined position, for disengagement therefrom.

It can be appreciated that the exact structural arrangement of the frame F and the carrier 5t) as well as the exact structural arrangement of the expanding and collapsing portion 51 of the present invention may be varied without departing from the inventive concept of the present invention. T he form of the invention described in greater detail hereinafter is for purposes of illustration only.

In FIG. 4 of the drawings the members 35 and 36 are illustrated as being in the form of channel members and having the longitudinally extending plates 35b and 36h, respectively, welded to the webs 35a and 36a of the channel. Secured to the plates .35h and 36h respectively are the vertically extending members 35C and 36e and the vertically extending member 35d and 36d respectively so as to form a guideway or track for the carrier frame 50 in its vertical movement on the members 35 and 36.

The carrier 50 frame is shown in the drawings as including a frame formed in any suitable manner, and as shown includes the vertically extending angle irons 51, 52, 53, and 54 which are connected together at their upper ends by suitable horizontally extending plates 55, 56 which extend between 51 and 53, 52 and 54 respectively. The members 51 and 52 are connected together at their lower ends by the brace 57, and the members 53 and 54 are connected together at their lower ends by the brace 58. The members 57 and 58 in turn are secured by suitable means such as welding or the like to the base plate 60 which is provided with a central aperture 61 as shown in FIG. 3 of the drawings. A longitudinal member 50a on each side of the frame 50 fits in the tracks formed by members 35C, 35d and 36e, 36d as shown in FIG. 4. The member 35d and 36d may be adjustably secured on Vertical members 35 and 36 so that they can be adjusted to lit the member 50a.

Pivotally secured to the base plate 60 of the carrier frame 50 and depending downwardly therefrom are a plurality of arms, four of such arms being illustrated in the present invention by the numerals S0, 81, 82 and 83. The arms 80, 81, 82 and 83 are pivotally connected at their upper ends as represented at 81a and 83a in FIG. 3, for the arms 81 and 83. Suitable means such as a pivot pin or the like may be secured through an opening in each of the arms, the pivot pin being represented by the numeral 80h and being carried by the brackets 84 and 85 which are in turn secured to the base plate 60 by any suitable means such as welding or the like.

In order to provide further alignment and guiding of the arms 80, 81, 82 and 83 a suitable arrangement illustrated generally by the numeral 90 may be provided and includes the vertically extending members 90a, 90b, 90C and 90d which are secured at their upper ends to the base plate 60 and at their lower ends to the plate portions 9de which plate portions are triangularly shaped and are welded to the spaced members 91W and 90g which are arranged to form a track or guide for each of the arms titl, 81, 32 and S3 as more clearly illustrated in FIG. 5 of the drawings.

Pivotally secured to each of the arms 80, S1, 82 and 33 at their lower ends are lateral projections designated generally at 100, one of such lateral projections being provided for each of the arms.

As more clearly illustrated in FIG. 7 of the drawings each of the arms Si), 81, 82 and S3 are slotted at their lower ends as shown at 110, and the projections include a vertical portion 101 that extends upwardly within the slot and is pivotally supported therein by the pin 162 secured in the arm 81. Portion 1130 of the lateral projection 10d includes a lip 105,y better illustrated in FIG. 3, which extends outwardly for engaging the bottom 25b of the metal coil 25 whereby it may be lifted and moved about.

The vertical portion 101 of each of the lateral projections llltl extends inwardly relative to the arms 81), 81, $2 and 83 as shown in FIG. 3 of the drawings and provides a means for connecting the projections 100 and the arms with a suitable power source represented generally by the numeral whereby the lateral projections 1li@ and arms Stl, 81, 82 and 83 of the part 51 may be collapsed from engagement with the coil 25 and may be expanded into engagement with the coil 25. In the form of the invention illustrated in the drawings the power source 120 is shown as including a hydraulic cylinder 121 in which is mounted a piston 122 to which is secured the piston rod 123, the piston rod 123 being pivotally connected at its lower end to each of the vertical portions 101 of the lateral projections 100. The pivot connections between the lateral projections 101) of the arms 31 and 83 is shown in FIG. 3 as being suitable bracket means 124 mounted on the piston rod 123, the bracket means 124 in turn being pivotally secured at 125 to each of the lateral projections 100 on each of the arms by a pivot pin extending through the lateral projection means 100 and the bracket means 124.

It is to be noted that when the piston 122 is in its lowermost position as illustrated in FIG. 3 of the drawings with the lateral projection means 100` extended, the pivot point of the lateral projection means 100 is slightly below the pivot point '102 of their pivot connection with their respective arms for a purpose as will be described in greater Idetail hereinafter. The hydraulic cylinder 121 is shown as being `double acting whereby the piston 122 may be moved up or down therein lto in turn move the lateral projection 100 in and `out and to also move the arms 80;, S1, S2 and 83 in and out as will be described in greater detail.

More particularly it will be noted that the hydraulic cylinder 121 extends longitudinally of the carrier frame 50 and collapsing and expanding portion `b1 and as shown, it extends through the opening 61 in base plate 60. The upper end of the cylinder is provided with an extension in which is secured a pin 131. The pin 131 is in turn connected through the plates 132 and 133, and the plates 132 and 133 are in turn supported on the carrier frame portion 50l by welding or other means to the plates 134 and 135, which plates 134 and 135 are in turn secured to the angle irons 52, 53, 54 and 55 as more clearly illustrated in FIG. 4 of the drawings.

Means for lifting the carrier frame Sil' and the collapsing portion 51 of the apparatus 20 are provided, such means being illustrated in the drawings as including a chain which is secured at one end to the plates 132 `and 133, and which extends upwardly between the channel members 35 and 36 and loops over the pulley 1142 as shown in FIG. 3 of the drawings. The cable extends over the pulley 142 and is looped around the pulley 143 and has its end Secured as shown at 144 to a plate 145 which extends between the channel members 55 and 36. The pulley 143` in turn is carried on a piston rod 144, which piston rod is connected with a piston (not shown in detail) in the double 'acting hydraulic cylinder 145. The hydraulic cylinder 145 in turn is pivotally mounted at its rear end as illustrated at 146 on the rotating portion of the frame F and provides a means whereby the invention 20 including the carrier `frame 50 and collapsing and expanding portion 51 may be raised and lowered relative to the frame portion 30 so that the coil 25 engaged therewith can be lifted off the rollers R and moved and then lowered to a predetermined position as desired.

FIGS. l0 and 'll illustrate diagrammatically and schematically a suitable electrical and hydraulic control circuit which may be associated with the apparatus of the present invention for operation thereof.

FIG. l0 is a diagrammatic represenatation showing one arrangement of switches which may be employed on the apparatus of the present invention, and the hydraulic cylinders are also represented which cooperate in the functioning of the apparatus.

As shown in FIG. l of the drawings, the invention 20 has moved down into engagement with the coil 25. In this position lateral projection means 100 and arms 80, 81, 82, and 84 have been expanded so that the coil is engaged as shown in FIG. 3. The coil 25 may then be lifted olf the rollers by raising the lstacker head 20, whereupon rotation of the frame portion 30 moves the engaged coil to a predetermined position so that the stacker head 20 can lower the coil into a predetermined 'aligned position. The stacker head 20 then disengages from the coil 25 and elevates so that the frame portion 30 may then rotate back into position above the rollers R for engagement with another coil.

For purposes of description, it will be assumed that the stacker head 20 is above a coil 2'5 on the rollers R of the table and is ready to be moved down into the aperture of the coil to engage it. A switch 169 is arranged adjacent to the rollers R so that when the coil 25 is centered on the table formed by the rollers R the switch 169 is actuated. The coil 25 is transferred onto the rollers R by a conveyor system of `any suitable form. When the coil is positioned on the table, the switch 169 represented in the circuit in FIG. -ll is closed, then switch 16S may be closed and this supplies power from the power source represented at 167 so that the switch i170 mounted on the vertically extending member 35 is moved to one position, as illustrated in the circuit portion represented at 2000. The switches 169a and 16911 are of a well known type which also close when the switch 169 is closed and this supplies electrical energy through the line 200 and 2001b to actuate the solenoid valve represented at 201. The closing of switch 168 starts the pump motor 202er so that hydraulic iluid is supplied to the hydraulic line 202. Thus when solenoid actuated 'valve 201 is actuated it opens whereupon hydraulic fluid from the hydraulic line 202 is supplied to the cylinder 145 so that the piston rod 144 moves out `of the cylinder 1'45. The chain 140 connected to piston rod 144 thereby permits the frame 50 to move between 35 and 36. It might be noted that at this time that the carrier frame 50 starts to move downwardly the portion 511 including the arms 80, 81, 82 and 83 and the projections 100 at the lower end thereof are in the position as illustrated in IFIG. 9 of the drawings. In this relationship, the portion 51 is collapsed so that the arms 81, S2, 83 `and 84 and the lateral projections 100 thereon may move downwardly into the central aperture 25a of the coil 25 as shown in FIG. 9. The collapsing and expanding portion 51 and carrier frame 50 continues downwardly until the frame 50 contacts the switch 170 arranged on the vertical member L35 and moves such switch to its next position in which event the electrical circuit designated generally at 203 is closed so that the solenoid valve represented at 204 is actuated and permits hydraulic iluid to pass to the cylinder 121.

As previously noted the rollers R are arranged so that the arms 81, 82, 83, and 84 as Well as the lateral projections thereon may move to engagement with the coil 25 supported on the rollers. When the frame portion contacts the switch 170 and moves the switch to the position so that the switches 170 and 171 are closed in the circuit 203 as shown in FIG. ll, the switches 170, 168, and 169 in circuit 200g are opened. When this occurs further downward movement of the carrier frame 50 is stopped, and hydraulic liquid is supplied to cylinder 121 so that piston rod 123 moves downwardly. This moves the lateral projections 100 and arms outwardly and the lips of projection means 100 engage the bottom 25b of the coil 25 as shown in FIG. 3 of the drawings. Downward movement of the piston rod 123 continues until a projection on one of the arms engages the switch 171 and moves it to its position so that the switch 171 in circuit designated 203 is opened and the switch 171 in circuit designated 205 is closed. The circuit 205 includes the switch 171 in one position and the switch 172, the switch 172 being mounted on member 32 and initially in a position so that fluid is supplied to the solenoid valve 201a which permits liquid from the hydraulic line 202 to pass into the cylinder 145 so that the cable 140 acts to lift the frame portion 50 and the expanded portion 51 along with the engaged coil 25. Lifting is continued until the upper surface of the coil 25 contacts the switch 172 whereupon the switch 172 in the circuit 205 is open and the switch 172 moves to a position so that it closes in the circuit represented at 206 which includes also the switch 173. When these two switches are thus closed electrical energy is supplied to the solenoid valve 208 so that fluid from the hydraulic line 202 is communicated to the cylinder 43 to cause the rack 42 to engage the ring gear 41 and rotate the portion 30 of the frame F. Rotation of the portion 30 of the frame F continues until an Vextension 210 on the portion 31 of the frame engages the switch 173 as illustrated in FIG. 2 of the drawings whereupon the switch 173 is actuated so that the circuit 206 is opened and the switch 173 in circuit 207 is closed. The circuit 207 includes the switch 173 and the switch 174, and when `these two switches, namely 173 and 174, are closed as shown in circuit 207 liquid is again supplied to the solenoid valve 201 which permits hydraulic fluid to pass to the hydraulic cylinder 145 to cause the portions 50 and 51 to lower. It can be appreciated that the switch 173 is arranged at a predetermined position on frame base B so that the coil 25 that is engaged on the expandable and releasable mechanism 51 can be lowered to a predetermined location in relation to the base B. The lowering continues until the laterally extending iinger 10511 supported beneath one of the lips 105 as shown in FIG. 7 trips the switch 174 so that the circuit 207 is opened and the circuit designated 210 is closed. It is to be noted that the linger 105a may be pivotally supported on one of the arms as shown in FIG. 7 and extends beneath the lip 105 so that it contacts the surface upon which the coil 25 is to be lowered prior to the time that the lateral projection means 100 and its lip 10S engages such surface. When the nger 105a touches the surface upon which the coil 25 is to be lowered, the switch 174 is tripped so that the switch 174 in the circuit 210 closes along with the switch 175 to the solenoid valve 204m. This permits fluid from the hydraulic line 202 to enter the hydraulic cylinder so that thelateral vprojections 100 begin to collapse inwardly so as to retract the lips 105 from engagement with the bottom surface 25!) of the coil 25.

Previously it was noted that the pivot point of the lateral projections 100 was below the pivot point 102 of the lateral projection on each of the arms. Thus, as can be seen in FIG. 8, as the lateral projection means 100 begins to collapse inwardly, the arms 80, 81, 82 and S3 will expand radially outwardly so as to engage the inner periphery 25e of the aperture 25a in the coil 25. Thus, as the lips 105 of lateral projection means 100 withdraw .engage the switch represented at 175 as illustrated in FIG. 9.

When the switch 175 is engaged it opens circuit 210 and closes in circuit 212 along with the switch 176 which has already been in closed position. This in turn, as can be seen from FIG. l1 of the drawings, permits hydraulic fluid to pass to hydraulic cylinder 145 so that the mechanism Ztl can be withdrawn from the coil. As the mechanism is withdrawn from the coil 25 the chain lifts the frame portion 50 and the collapsing and releasing mechanism 51 upwardly along the vertical arms 35 and 35 until it contacts switch 176 which switch 176 may be mounted on one of the arms 35 or 36. When this occurs switch 176 moves from its initial position as illustrated in circuit 212 to the position in 215 so that it closes along with switch 177, and this circuit is connected with solenoid valve represented at 219841 whereupon hydraulic liuid is supplied to the hydraulic cylinder 43 to turn the portion 30 of the frame F back to its initial position over the rollers R. Such rotation continues until the projection 21661 engages the switch 177 mounted on base B whereupon the switch 177 is opened so that liquid flow through solenoid valve 208a is shut off. The hydraulic system is connected so that the fluid is suitably discharged from one side of the double acting piston as power fluid is supplied to the other side. Also the electrical circuit is connected and arranged so that at the beginning of each sequence the switches are in their proper position to accomplish the function intended in that sequence. It can be appreciated that all the electrical components are not shown in FIG. ll, since the purpose of this drawing is merely to illustrate the functional sequence of the invention.

In the foregoing description only two positions of the present mechanism have been described, namely the position represented by switch 177 wherein the frame portion 30 is positioned over the rollers R, and that position represented by the switch 173 wherein the frame portion 30 has been rotated to a predetermined position to enable the coil Z5 to be set down at a desired location. It can be appreciated that any suitable number of locations can be provided in any arrangement without departing from the scope of the present invention.

The present invention has proved quite successful in that it enables coils to be engaged, moved, lowered, aligned and released with a minimum of effort. Heretofore great difliculty has been experienced in handling coils of material and in stacking them in an aligned position. The present invention accomplishes this function, and provides an arrangement whereby a portion of the coil engaging means releases from the coil to enable it to be set down on a surface while another portion retains engagement of the coil to maintain it in alignment as it is being released.

What is claimed is:

l. A coil stacker head for engaging, moving and releasing coils of metal and the like comprising,

a support carrier,

downwardly depending arms pivotally supported from said carrier,

laterally extending projection means pivotally mounted at the lower end of each of said arms for engaging the bottom of a coil,

power means mounted on said carrier and connected with said projection for moving said projections laterally to a coil engaging position and for retracting said projections from engagement with the coils, said projection means being pivotally connected to said arms in a transverse plane slightly above said pivotal connection between said projection means and said 5 power means whenV said projection means are in their extended positions whereby retraction of said projection means initially expands said arms radially outward to retain said arms in engagement with the coil as said projection means are retracted to keep the coil aligned in its stacked position, continued upward movement of said power means functioning to retract said arms to release them from the coil. 2. The invention of claim l including, means extending laterally below said projection means for contacting the surface on which the coil is to be stacked and connected to actuate said power means whereby said power means functions to retract said projection means so that the bottom of the engaged coil may be positioned on the surface on which it is to be stacked. 3. A coil stacker head for engaging, moving and releasing coils of metal and the like comprising,

a support carrier, downwardly depending arms pivotally supported from said carrier, said `arms being horizontally spaced from the vertical axis of the carrier a distance of approximately the radius of the coil opening,

laterally extending projection means pivotally mounted at the lower end of each of said arms for engaging the bottom of a coil,

power means mounted on said carrier and pivotally connected to said projections for moving said projections laterally to a coil engaging position and for retracting said projections from engagement with the coils, said power means including a hydraulic cylinder and piston with a piston rod extending from said piston in cylinder, said piston rod being pivotally connected to said projection means whereby a vertical of said piston and piston rod extends and retracts said arms and projection means.

4. A coil stacker head for engaging, moving and releasing coils of metal and the like comprising,

a support carrier,

downwardly depending arms pivotally supported from said carrier at a horizonal distance from the vertical axis of the carrier of approximately the radius of the coil opening,

laterally extending projection means pivotally mounted at the lower end of each of said arms for engaging the bottom of a coil,

power means mounted on said carrier and pivotally connected with said projections for moving said projections laterally to a coil engaging position and for retracting said projections from engagement with the coils,

said projection means being pivotally connected to said arms in a transverse plane slightly above said pivotal connection between said projection means and said power means when said projection means are in their extended positions whereby retraction of said projection means initially expands said arms radially outward to retain said arms in engagement with the coil as said projection means are retracted, with continued retraction of said projection means functioning to retract said arms to release them from the coils.

5. A coil stacker head for inserting in the central opening of a metal coil and the like and expanding to engage 7 the coil for movement thereof comprising,

a support carrier,

irst power means to raise and lower said support carrier,

downwardly depending arms pivotally connected at their upper end portion to said carrier for extending into the central opening of a coil in a radially rethe movable member moves downwardly and when tracted position and thereafter movable to engage the movable member moves upwardly the arms rea coil, main in engagement with the coil until the projection projection means pivotally connected on the lower end means are retracted.

of said arms for insertion along with said arms into 5 6. The invention of claim 5 wherein the pivot connecthe coil central opening and thereafter movable raditions of the arms to the support carrier are spaced a ally outward to engage the bottom surface of the horizontal distance of approximately the radius of the coil, central opening of the coil from the Vertical axis of the second power means for moving said arms and projecsupport carrier.

tion means to coil engaging and coil releasing posi- 10 tions, said power means including a vertically mov- References Cited II the me 0f this Patent able member longitudinally of said support carrier UNITED STATES PATENTS and plvotally connected to sa1d projectlon means at a point in a transverse plane slightly below the pivoted 2,508,246 Gerstenslager May 16, 1950 connection between the projection means and the 15 2,613,983 Knudsen Oct. 14, 1952 arms When the said projection means are in their 2,736,600 Carlson Feb. 28, 1956 extended positions whereby said arms move radially 2,819,806 Vieth Jan. 14, 1958 Outward into engagement with the coil prior to en- 3,027,019 Miller Mar. 27, 1962 gagement of the coil by the projection means when 3,033,605 Morrow May 8, 1962 

1. A COIL STACKER HEAD FOR ENGAGING, MOVING AND RELEASING COILS OF METAL AND THE LIKE COMPRISING, A SUPPORT CARRIER, DOWNWARDLY DEPENDING ARMS PIVOTALLY SUPPORTED FROM SAID CARRIER, LATERALLY EXTENDING PROJECTION MEANS PIVOTALLY MOUNTED AT THE LOWER END OF EACH OF SAID ARMS FOR ENGAGING THE BOTTOM OF A COIL, POWER MEANS MOUNTED ON SAID CARRIER AND CONNECTED WITH SAID PROJECTION FOR MOVING SAID PROJECTIONS LATERALLY TO A COIL ENGAGING POSITION AND FOR RETRACTING SAID PROJECTIONS FROM ENGAGEMENT WITH THE COILS, SAID PROJECTION MEANS BEING PIVOTALLY CONNECTED TO SAID ARMS IN A TRANSVERSE PLANE SLIGHTLY ABOVE SAID PIVOTAL CONNECTION BETWEEN SAID PROJECTION MEANS AND SAID POWER MEANS WHEN SAID PROJECTION MEANS ARE IN THEIR EXTENDED POSITIONS WHEREBY RETRACTION OF SAID PROJECTION MEANS INITIALLY EXPANDS SAID ARMS RADIALLY OUTWARD TO RETAIN SAID ARMS IN ENGAGEMENT WITH THE COIL AS SAID PROJECTION MEANS ARE RETRACTED TO KEEP 